Trump trade deals tout big energy export wins, but U.S. lacks the tankers to make good on the promises

By Lori Ann LaRocco – CNBC

The Trump administration is touting energy promises made by the EU, Indonesia, and South Korea in the latest rounds of trade deal frameworks.

But these commitments to future LNG purchases face a steep hurdle.

Under separate new U.S. Trade Representative mandates to move domestic LNG on U.S.-made vessels or face steep fines.

According to a recent estimate, there is only one U.S. LNG tanker on the order books out of the 331 vessels planned in the decades ahead.